Plate



Patented Aug. `14, 1928.

WILLIAM H. BAKER, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PLATE.

fllri's/nivention relates especially to fruit M/plates, although it is not restricted thereto,

and it has for its object the formation in such a plate of a separate receiving compartment designed, when the plate is used for fruit, to contain water in which to moisten the fingers for cleansing purposes; but which may equally well be employed for receiving melted butter when clams are served; or to contain jelly, chopped pickle, and the like.

One great objection to the construction of a single compartment for a plate is that of interference with a secure stacking of these plates one upon another; and the obviation of such difficulty is an important feature of the invention.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a plate embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is an under view of the same; in each of these two figures a part of the plate being represented as broken away. Fig. 3 is a dia-` metrical section of two superposed plates, through the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

The plate l itself is of well known con* struction, with the exception of the features embodying my invention. The main item of the latter consists of a cup or pocket 2 formed in the rim of the plate, whose walls are substantially vertical, although I prefer to have the same elliptical or oblong as viewed from above, and whose edge is approximately on the same level with that of the extreme periphery of the plate.

I prefer to have the bottom of the cup 2 practically continuous with `that of the plate, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

For enabling these plates to be stacked, 1 provide the under surface of each plate diametrically opposite to its cup 2 with a groove 3 and a lug 4, so positioned as to engage the edge of the cup upon which the plate is placed, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thus disposed, the upper plates cannot slide along the lower ones but remain supported at one Serial No. 144,135.

side by the engagement of the groove 3 with the edge 5 of the cup beneath, and at the other side by the under and outer edge of the cup as it rests upon the Vrim of the plate below. y

I prefer to have the cup 2 reach somewhat outward beyond the periphery of the plate 1, both for the sake of appearance, and for providing larger capacity without encroachment upon the plate.

Futher to aid in the secure stacking of these plates, I prefer to form the under outer corner of the cup 2 with a rib 7 disposed for reaching just beyond the rim of the plate below, as shown in Fig. 3. This not only serves this purpose, but, in addition, makes it somewhat easier to lsuperpose one plate upon another; as by first resting the middle of the cup-bottom upon the rim below, and then sliding the plate along until the rib 7 meets the rim. This assures that when the opposite part of the plate is lowered to the plate below, its groove 3 will` accurately engage the edge 5 of the cup.

What I claim as my invention is:

l, A plate formed with a cup in its rim, the bottom of the cup'being substantially even with the bottom of the plate, and yits top edge even with the periphery ofthe plate, the under surface of the plate diametrically opposite its cup being a groove and an elongated lug disposed for engagement with the inner edge of thecup of a like plate beneath.

2. A plate formed with a cup in its rim, whose bottom is substantially level with that of the plate, the outer under corner of said cup having a downwardly extending rib,

and the opposite portion of the plate having a groove for engaging the inner edge ofthe cup of a like plate beneath; said rib fitting the periphery of the last-named plate.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing invention, I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of October, 1926.

. W. H. BAKER. 

